Posted on 08/14/2004 11:19:01 AM PDT by forest
Anyone else noticing how the American media is running a campaign against President Bush? We expect that from Reuters and the Associated Press, of course. But it seems to be happening with 95% of the media today. For instance, AP writes things like "Bush Works to Blunt Critics With CIA Pick" instead of 'Bush supports CIA Pick.' Or, "Bush mocks Kerry" but never that 'Kerry mocks Bush,' which happens almost all day every day.
The liberals in the media will call publications like "Unfit for Command," anti-Kerry, yet never label any of the rabidly liberal organization (like moveon.org) ads anti-Bush. Instead, they often report them as news.
Last week, the liberal media found themselves a new conservative target to bash for a while, but they seem a bit apprehensive about taking him on. Alan Keyes is back running for election. So, here comes AP: "Keyes Bashes Obama's Views." Interesting that. What did Obama say about Keyes? Among other things, Obama said that Keyes is outside the moderate mainstream of state Republicans. Isn't that "bashing"?
The DNC let Barack Obama speak at their little convention and the liberal media made him out to be the new darling of the Democratic Party. Some talking heads even stated that Obama could be a presidential candidate someday.
Well, here's a little point to ponder: Yes, Obama is a good public speaker. But, so are most used car salesmen. I listened to him. Good pep-rally material, but almost zero real substance. The guy wants to be a U.S. Senator, but what is his experience for the position? Listening to his speech, he was totally lacking on any real issues affecting our nation.
Keyes, on the other hand, is not just a good public speaker, he is also a powerful public speaker. And, we might note, Ambassador Alan Keyes also has the proper background to be a senator.
Needless to say, the leftist-liberal media want the liberal Obama, not the conservative Keyes. The American people, however, feel a bit differently. We look for C-SPAN to be one of the most watched TV channels any time their debates are aired. When substance counts, Keyes will make Obama seem like a backup high school debater.
Kerry's media support is a bigger problem. It's interesting that Kerry even mentions his four months in Vietnam. Funny that, when he came home he discredited Vietnam veterans, now he wants to be honored as one. Won't work! Too many Vietnam veterans remember Kerry's lies. He lied to the media, he lied to Congress and he lied to the American people. He even states that he was, himself, a war criminal.
Now he gets his comeuppance.
First in line come the Vietnam veterans who knew him best back then. Visit their web site(1) to view their TV spot and contribute to have it played more on television, if you are so inclined.
Next comes the book by Swift Boat Veterans: "Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry" That should be available in any bookstore this week.(2)
The liberal media, of course, labels all this "anti-Kerry" rhetoric. Again, the American people think differently. The book will instantly be a major best seller -- and actually was before it was even released.
But the Kerry campaign does not think all the liberal media support they receive is quite enough. Therefore, the campaign lawyered-up with hundreds of trial lawyers and is waging a scare campaign against any radio or television stations willing to run the Swiftvet spot. The Kerry campaign is also asking media people to disregard all of the Swift Boat Veterans and only run Kerry's approved story (and its many revisions). But, that shall not be allowed to happen.
In response, Americans are calling radio and television stations demanding the spots be run. But, that is not all that is happening in the background (without any news coverage). As John Kerry shall soon learn, there are a few million veterans out here. Kerry tore open a large hornet's nest by claiming to be a "hero" in Vietnam.
Yes, John Kerry smacked a huge nest and there are one hell of a lot of us angry hornets out here. Like this particular scribbler, we are going to keep making our points of view heard until November. And, there is not one damn thing Kerry can do about it.
1. <http://www.swiftvets.com/>
2. <http://www.WinterSoldier.com>
Media apprehensive about taking on conservative Keyes.
Now Kerry gets his comeuppance: Swiftboat Book.
John Kerry smacked a huge nest and there are one hell of a lot of us angry hornets out here.
Democrats could get to where they are today without a complicit media. Much as I dislike DNC elected officials, it is the media that is the #1 domestic enemy.
Unbiased is a myth perpetrated by the biased media for the last 50 or 60 years at least.
USA Today has an editor who has recently been shelving columns written by Conservatives. I'm no conspiracy, tin-foil hat type, but there does indeed seem to be a concerted effort to run against President Bush. It probably makes up for a 15% difference in public attitude.
In our pop culture world of America 2004, people have gotten more lazy and stupid then ever. 30 million Americans still rely on the big three networks and the slanted reporting of liberal anchors like Jennings, Rather and Brokow, or the cable efforts of leftwing outlets like CNN and MSNBC. Its a wonder any conservative Republican can win election to public office under the ground rules set up by the liberal media.
Unless a serious effort is made to counter the mainstream media, you can count on a more and more biased approach to their over the air broadcasts. We need more alternative media entities like Fox News and fair and balanced reporting to counter the nightly news broadcasts on the three major networks, the leftist cable channels and the millions of folks who read re-printed liberal rants from the likes of the NYTimes, WashPost and LATimes.
Changing the mindset and the direction of fourth estate is a huge undertaking and won't be easy to accomplish. But the goal and final outcome will be worth the effort in the end.
Whatever happened to your head that makes you think that there ever was or will be such a thing?Philosophy 101 is that you do not claim to be wise if you actually respect wisdom. If you claim to be wise, all arguments are short-circuited to:
If I engage in that sort of argumentation it is well for me to be packing heat. Or else to have the advantage of being able to print my argument in the newspaper and withhold from you the ability to print your argument.
- I am wise.
- You don't even claim to be wise.
- Therefore I win the argument.
Journalism as an institution consists of individual businesses which each buys ink by the barrel and which each is predicated on the value of PR. Each such business uses its PR power to function as a bully - picking on anyone who can't fight back, and toadying up to anyone who can.
Liberalism is merely politicians toadying up to journalists and getting protection from journalists. To hear journalists tell it, therefore, liberalism is "objectivity." Which is why a liberal political operative like George Stephaopolis can so easily put an "objective journalist" hat on - and why no conservative can do it at all.
Why Broadcast Journalism is
Unnecessary and Illegitimate
Ditto.
And that's why I believe we should have "some common sense controls" over the freedom of speech part of the 1st Amendment.
As the left thinks that's such a great idea for the 2nd, they should have NO objection applying the exact same standard to the 1st. After all, "it's for the children." :-)
That's what our elected representatives have promulgated, e.g., in the form of campaign finance laws. Want more?
"almost zero real substance"
That's what dems like most about their candidates. They don't want to think too far ahead and see what consequences their actions will have ten or twenty years down the road. It makes their heads hurt too much. (perdect example of the big "peacemakers" carter and clinton and their handling of the mideast)
Mdeia bias bump.
I wonder why all of the sudden republicans aren't just happy with the Fox news channel and its subsidiaries, if it wasn't for other media, we wouldn't get the real story. It is now virtually impossible to report on the "good" things President Bush is doing, if that was the case, there will be nothing to report, that is, if you don't distort the truth, just keep watching Fox, and call it a day, unless you really want to open your eyes... like I did.
I get the sense that you have a strong opinion, but I'm not sure whether you are agreeing with me or arguing vociferously against me. Please clarify.
Just stick to Fox news.
Good post. Thanks.
Fox is the only mainstream medium with any credibility.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.